Positioning

The position of the patient depends on the site and nature of the surgery and the preference of the surgeon. Serious complications can occur as a result of careless positioning and, because neurosurgical operations may last for many hours, it is particularly important that patients are correctly positioned and pressure or traction on nerves and venous or arterial obstruction are avoided. Spinal cord damage can result from poor positioning and great care must be taken when moving the anesthetized patient with an unstable spine. Pressure on the eye can result in blindness.

Specific problems are associated with the use of the sitting position for operations in the posterior fossa and craniocervical region, including venous air embolism and postural hypotension [11]. Resuscitation may be difficult if cardiac arrest occurs in a patient in an unusual position, but a successful outcome is still possible [12].

The term vaginitis is one that is applied to any inflammation or infection of the vagina, and there are many different conditions that are categorized together under this ‘broad’ heading, including bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis and non-infectious vaginitis.